Issues and debates Flashcards
Outline gender bias
Gender Bias is the tendency to treat a particular gender in a different way that may not justifiably represent their experience.
This can lead to differential treatment of the sexes based on stereotypes rather than real differences.
Outline androcentrism
A male-centred standpoint. This means that research is conducted mostly by males, using male participants, meaning that the male experience is set as the ‘normal’ standard of behaviour, and that if females show different behaviours they may be judged as abnormal.
Define universality
Any underlying characteristic of human beings that is capable of being applied to all, despite differences of experience and upbringing. Gender bias and culture bias threaten the universality of findings in psychology.
Define Alpha Bias
When differences are suggested to be real and enduring. This can lead to the value in the other gender being minimised.
Alpha bias research example
Wilson’s sociobiological theory of relationship formation. Men are biologically predetermined to try and promote the continuation of their genes, and thus try to sexually produce as much as possible in order to pass these genes on. Whereas, women’s best chances of preserving their genes is to protect the few offspring she has.
This notion suggests sexually promiscuous is genetically predetermined in males, where for women they would being going against their nature. These can lead to harmful stereotypes and the demonisation of women.
Freud argued that because girls do not suffer the same oedipal conflict as boys, they do not identify with their mothers as strongly as boys identify with their fathers, so develop weaker superegos and are thus, less moral.
Define beta bias
When differences are ignored or minimised. Typically in psychological research this happens when findings on male participants are generalised to females without additional validation.
Beta bias research examples
Early research on the fight or flight response was always done on male animals, due to fluctuating female hormones making research more difficult. As a result all findings have been applied to both genders, despite research showing females have biologically evolved to supress this response. Taylor has suggested in threatening situations, females have an adaptive “tend or befriend” approach. This is done by protecting their young and forming defensive networks with other females.
Asch’s research into conformity used all American male participants, yet the findings were generalised to women. Neto argues that women are more likely to conform and thus, the findings would be different.
Outline essentialism in reference to gender bias in psychology
Many of the gender differences reported by psychologist are based on an essentialist perspective that gender difference is inevitable and fixed in nature.
Essentialist accounts in psychology are often politically motivated arguments disguised as biological ‘facts’ which creates a double standard for the way the same behaviour is viewed from a male and female perspective .
For example, research in the 1930s suggested that women attending University may harm their ability to have children due to issues with their ovaries. These accounts are sometimes political arguments disguised as facts.
Outline reflectivity in psychological research
When potential beliefs and biases that could influence the findings of the research are highlighted. This enables conclusions to be understood in the context which shaped them.
Eg: When studying the lack of women in executive positions at accountancy firms, Dambrin and Lambert included a reflection on how their gender-related experiences influenced their readings of events. This can lead to greater awareness of the role of personal biases in shaping research in the future.
Discussion point one - gender bias
Consequence of beta bias
In a society which has one gender hold more power than the other, taking a neutral stance only further benefits men and has consequences for females. For example, equal parental leave arguably minimises the biological demands placed on a woman as a result of pregnancy, breastfeeding and childbirth.
Discussion point 2 gender bias - value of women
In attempts of countering the years of research which has minimised the value of women. For example, some psychologists attempt to develop theories
that emphasise the importance or value of women. Cornwell et al noted that females are better at learning, as they are more attentive and organised, thus
emphasising both the value and the positive attributes of
women.
Discussion point 3 - gender bias
challenging previous theories on gender.
One of the main limitations of psychological research is
that issues of gender bias often go unchallenged.
Darwin’s established theory of sexual selection suggests that women are selective in terms of
mate selection.
These views have only recently been challenged by DNA evidence suggesting that women are equally as competitive as men when the need arises.
This highlights the importance of continually challenging
earlier gender research, and reducing gender bias to
ensure that a valid picture of women is portrayed in
contemporary studies.
Discuss the main consequences of gender bias within psychological research.
Can result in misleading assumptions about female behaviour, fail to change negative stereotypes and validate discriminatory behaviour. May provide a scientific ‘justification’ to deny women opportunities in the workplace. THUS, gender bias is not just a methodological problem but can have damaging consequences which can affect the lives and prospects of real women.
There is a lack of women being appointed at senior researcher level, meaning female concerns may not be reflected in research questions.
Nicolson also outlined how female participants in laboratory experiments are at a disadvantage as are vulnerable to being labelled being unreasonable and irrational. These sexist views can be used as excuses to deny the inclusion of women within psychological research.
